How to Fill Out Form I-9 Using Your Driver's License

What Information From Your Driver's License Goes on Form I-9

Form I-9 asks for specific details from your driver's license in Section 1 (employee information) and Section 2 (document verification). You will copy your license number, state of issuance, and expiration date into the designated fields on the form. The employer or authorized representative will also examine your physical license during the verification process and record which document type you presented — in this case, a state-issued driver's license.

Your driver's license alone is not enough to complete I-9. Federal law requires you to present two forms of identification: one that proves your identity and work authorization (List A), and one that proves your identity only (List B). A driver's license counts as List B. You must bring a second document from List A, such as a U.S. passport, Permanent Resident Card, Employment Authorization Document (EAD), or state-issued Real ID.

The I-9 form itself does not ask you to write your license number in most fields — your employer does that work during the verification step. Your job is to provide the license when asked and answer the questions in Section 1 truthfully.

Key Takeaways

A driver's license alone cannot complete I-9; you must bring a second document that proves work authorization, such as a passport or Employment Authorization Document.
Section 1 of Form I-9 asks you to confirm your citizenship or immigration status by checking one box — your driver's license does not determine this answer.
Your employer examines your physical driver's license during Section 2 and records the license number, state, and expiration date themselves.
If your driver's license has expired, you can still use it for I-9 as long as it was valid when you presented it; expiration date alone does not disqualify it.
Bring the original license, not a copy — employers must see the physical document and compare it to your face.

Section 1: What You Write About Your License Status

Section 1 of Form I-9 is completed by you, the employee. It asks for your name, date of birth, address, and Social Security number. It does not ask for your driver's license number. Instead, it asks you to check one box confirming whether you are a U.S. citizen, a lawful permanent resident, an authorized alien, or a temporary resident alien.

Your driver's license does not answer this question. You must know your own immigration status and check the correct box. If you are a U.S. citizen, check that box. If you hold a green card, check lawful permanent resident. If you have an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) or visa that permits work, check authorized alien. Do not guess or leave this blank — your employer will ask you to correct it before moving forward.

You also sign and date Section 1 yourself. The employer does not sign this section. If you are under 18 and not yet a high school graduate, a parent or guardian must also sign.

Section 2: How Your Employer Records Your Driver's License Details

Section 2 is completed by your employer or an authorized representative (often someone in human resources). This is where your driver's license information is recorded. The employer will ask you to present your license and examine it in person. They will write down the document type (state-issued driver's license), the issuing state, the license number, and the expiration date.

The employer will also compare your face to the photo on your license to confirm you are the person named on the form. This is why you must bring the original license, not a photocopy. The employer needs to see the security features, the photo, and verify that the person sitting in front of them matches the document.

If your license is expired, the employer may still accept it. The law does not require the license to be valid on the day of hire — only that it was a genuine document issued by a state. However, some employers have their own policies and may ask for an alternative. If your license is expired, bring your second document (passport, green card, or EAD) as backup.

Bringing Your Second Document: What Counts as List A

Because a driver's license is List B (identity only), you must bring one document from List A (identity and work authorization). The most common List A documents are a U.S. passport, a Permanent Resident Card (green card), an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), or a foreign passport with an unexpired visa stamp showing work permission.

If you are a U.S. citizen, a passport is the easiest choice — it counts as both List A and List B, so you can complete I-9 with just your passport and skip the driver's license entirely. If you do not have a passport, bring your driver's license plus one List A document.

If you are a permanent resident, bring your green card and your driver's license. If you are on a work visa or have an EAD, bring that document and your driver's license. Your employer will record information from both documents in Section 2.

Common Mistakes When Presenting Your Driver's License

The most frequent error is bringing only a driver's license and expecting it to be enough. It is not. Have your second document ready before you sit down to complete I-9. If you forget it, you cannot start work until you bring it in and your employer completes Section 2.

Another mistake is presenting a photocopy instead of the original. Federal law requires the employer to examine the original document. A copy does not show the security features and cannot be compared to your face. Bring the physical license.

Some employees write information on Section 2 themselves. Do not do this. Section 2 is the employer's responsibility. You complete Section 1, sign it, and present your documents. The employer fills in Section 2 based on what they see. If you write in Section 2, the form may be rejected by immigration authorities.

What Happens if Your Driver's License Information Does Not Match Form I-9

If the name, date of birth, or other details on your driver's license do not match what you wrote in Section 1, stop and correct Section 1 before your employer records anything in Section 2. The information must match exactly.

If you recently changed your name due to marriage or legal action, update your driver's license first if possible. If you cannot, bring both your old license and a court order or marriage certificate showing the name change. Your employer will note this in Section 2 and may ask for additional documentation.

If there is a typo on your license itself (for example, a misspelled middle name), bring the license as-is and let your employer see it. They will record what the license says. You can correct your own information in Section 1 if it differs, and your employer will note the discrepancy. Do not try to alter or white-out anything on either document.

Real ID and I-9: Does Your License Need to Be Real ID Compliant

Real ID is a federal security standard for driver's licenses and state ID cards. It is not required for I-9. You can use a standard driver's license that does not meet Real ID standards. Real ID matters for federal building access and air travel, not for employment verification.

If your state has issued you a Real ID-compliant license (usually marked with a star or gold seal), it works fine for I-9. If your license is not Real ID compliant, it still works for I-9. The form does not distinguish between the two.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use an expired driver's license for I-9?

Yes. The law does not require the license to be valid on the day you present it, only that it was a genuine document issued by a state. However, some employers have their own policies and may ask for an alternative if the license expired more than a few years ago. Bring your second document as backup.

What if I do not have a driver's license?

You can use a state-issued ID card instead of a driver's license. It serves the same purpose on I-9. You still need a second document from List A (passport, green card, EAD, or visa). If you have neither a license nor a state ID, a passport alone is sufficient to complete I-9.

Do I need to bring my Social Security card to I-9?

No. Social Security card is not accepted as a List A or List B document on I-9. You write your Social Security number in Section 1, but you do not need to show the card. Bring your driver's license and your List A document (passport, green card, or EAD).

Can my employer photocopy my driver's license?

Yes, but only after examining the original. Your employer must see the physical license in person to verify it is genuine and compare it to your face. After that, they may photocopy it and attach the copy to the I-9 form for their records. The copy is not a substitute for the original examination.

What if my driver's license shows a different address than my current address?

Write your current address in Section 1 of I-9, even if your driver's license shows an old address. Your employer will record the license number and expiration date in Section 2 based on the license itself. The address mismatch is not a problem — I-9 does not require the license address to match your current address.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.